While it is impossible to create a risk-free environment, school staff and parents can take important steps to minimize potentially fatal allergic reactions.  Accurate records, written protocols, staff education, parental support, and classroom/school rules should all be considered.  Use this checklist to develop and implement your school’s plan. 

•  Identify all students who have anaphylactic allergies at the beginning of the school year.

• Receive written notification from the allergic child’s physician regarding specific allergens to avoid, as well as authorization for administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.

• Establish/review strategies with the parent of the allergic child that will promote a safe school environment such as:
• A picture of the child (to post for teacher recognition)
• Specific information on the child’s food or environmental allergies
• Use of a medic alert bracelet to identify the child’s specific allergies (http://www.medicalert.ca/en/why/assistance.asp)
• Authorization and directions for administration of emergency medication (see Emergency Treatment Plan)
• Emergency medication is labeled with the child’s name and expiry date
• Emergency medications are stored in safe, unlocked and accessible storage areas that are known to all staff
• Call 911 for transportation to hospital
• Telephone numbers for parents and alternate emergency contacts
• Posting of the emergency treatment plan in accessible locations in the school
• Annual review of the emergency treatment plan to ensure that it is current.

• Work with the parent of the allergic child and the Public Health Nurse assigned to your school to update your school staff, lunchroom/playground supervisors, bus drivers, parents, parent-teacher association, volunteers and other students about:
• Understanding allergies and their potential severity
• Recognizing symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction
• Reviewing the Emergency Treatment Plan
• Administering the epinephrine auto-injector  
• Identifying measures to avoid allergens (i.e. cross contamination of foods).

• Gain the cooperation of other parents in the school by working with the parent of the allergic child to:
• Organize information sessions
• Set up information displays
• Send out letters at the beginning of the school year explaining the need for special rules (see sample Letter to Parents for Creating a Peanut-Safe Classroom).

• Take the following steps to help create a safer classroom:
• Discuss with the allergic child how to approach the teacher if he/she is having a reaction
• Listen to and believe the child when they tell you they are having a reaction or think they may have had an exposure to an allergen
• Allergic children do not participate in garbage disposal within the classroom
• Allergic children eat only the foods they bring from home
• Trading and sharing of food is not allowed
• Allergic children keep the same locker/desk throughout the year if possible
• Thorough hand washing with soap and water is completed before and after meals
• Desks and eating surfaces are cleaned after meals
• Avoid using problem foods in crafts or other activities
• Parents are asked to provide detailed labeling on foods they send into the classroom for sharing
• Focus on activities, rather than food, to mark special occasions.  It may be safer not to plan class celebrations around food
• Inform the allergic child’s parents well in advance of special activities involving food (i.e. parties, school trips)
• Provide appropriate instruction for older students who may be responsible for supervising classrooms
• Ensure substitute teachers and school volunteers are aware of the children with allergies
• Be aware that bullying behaviors around allergens are sometimes directed toward allergic children.

• Take the following steps to help create safer conditions outside the classroom:
• Have plans in place to ensure safe field trips or extra-curricular activities (i.e. call ahead, bring an epinephrine auto-injector)
• Permission slips for off-site activities include information on allergies
• Consider not allowing children to take food outside at recess
• Thorough hand washing with soap and water should be completed before and after meals
• If foods are ordered-in or students are eating out at commercial sources, ask for a list of ingredients
• Ensure food preparation/handling areas are kept clean of allergens
• Remind staff/parents to use clean utensils when preparing foods for the allergic child
• Allergic children do not participate in outdoor garbage disposal

Adapted from material developed by Middlesex-London Health Unit in collaboration with the Allergy Asthma Information Association.  Revised Sept 2008 by WECHU.

To download the PDF version of this checklist, click on the link below.